Sinker, you’ve swapped the word “icon” with “landmark.”
Those two words are not interchageable. Go back to the dictionary definition for “icon.”
The iPod classifies as both a design icon (it’s the singular design that represents the category) and a landmark design (it has had huge influence on design.)
The Barcelona chair brings up an interesting point. I think we’d all agree that the chair is a “modern chair design icon.” But there are many others, such as Rietveld’s red and blue chair of the same era. However, I would propose that the Rietveld chair is a design icon in the category of “modern neoplasticism chair design” whereas the Mies chair is in the category of “modern international-style chair design.” When those categories are applied, my definition of “design icon” works, because both of those chairs are the obvious icons of those styles.
Despite the fact that there is “the” iconic modern chair design (I happen to think it’s the Barcelona chair) there are many iconic modern chair designs. How? Because when you say there are many, you’re talking about all of the icons in the class–the children of the master-class (modern chairs) and single-parents of sub-classes (neoplasticism, etc.)
ie. There is only one iconic neoplasticism chair, only one iconic modern chair, and only one iconic chair. Collectively, there are many “chair design icons.”
The paper clips fail as a design icon even though it is great piece of design -as recognized by the few who are knowledgeable about design. It fails s a design icons as :
design merit (to be noticed, liked and applauded), fulfill some social need (for people to benefit from associating or relating to it)
The discussion seem to be slipping into the common lack of distinction between good design and iconic design
Hey SK, why don’t you be a little snobby about it? "for the few who are knowledgeable about design…: wow. nice one.
On this thing called google, they have lots of info on the merit of the paperclip: a few highlights:
Design merit: noticed and applauded:
GOOD DESIGN is the oldest and the most prestigious Awards Program organized worldwide.
Founded in Chicago in 1950 by the former MoMA curator Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., together with such pioneers in modern design as Charles and Ray Eames, Russel Wright, George Nelson, and Eero Saarinen, GOOD DESIGN honors the yearly achievements of the best industrial and graphic designers and world manufactures for their pursuit of extraordinary design excellence.
Nearly five decades later, The Chicago Athenaeum continues the organization of the program to create a revived awareness about contemporary design and to honor both products and industry leaders in design and manufacturing that have chartered new directions and pushed the envelope for competitive products in the world marketplace.
Annually, designers and manufactures in over 30 nations have been honored for their singular achievements in producing hallmarks of contemporary design.
For 56 years, everything and anything produced in and for the environment from a > paperclip > to a Boeing 777 have been honored.
People’s Design Award
Cast your vote for the best designed objects of all time. Contestants include the paperclip, the wheelie suitcase, and the Stratocaster. From the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. www.peoplesdesignaward.org
sk, the popularity of an item is the only measurable way to determine ‘iconhood’.
There are the categories of icon: as continues to be debated…
Then it’s a matter of scale -
is it an icon within a group or profession? (say, ID)
is it also an icon to professionals in related feilds? (ID, Arch. + Interiors)
is it also an icon to the general public?
if Sinker had been reading more closely, he’d realise the nature of: ‘thoughts and references on - iconic’ is a complex issue. Requiring not only the definition sub-categories but possibly a matrix to fully describe.
Hey SK, why don’t you be a little snobby about it? "for the few who are knowledgeable about design…: wow. nice one.
I admire your humility. Humility is a great virtue.
Now let’s get back to the subject.
There are differences between professional point of view, academic point of view, industry point of view, business point of view and public point of view.
Public opinion is affected by an average of 3000 adds seen in a day. I have not seen a paper clip add for some time.
There are the categories of icon: as continues to be debated…
Then it’s a matter of scale -
is it an icon within a group or profession? (say, ID)
is it also an icon to professionals in related feilds? (ID, Arch. + Interiors)
is it also an icon to the general public?
True, I had used the word “knowledgeable†instead of “professional†as a professional is supposed to be knowledgeable. But this discussion was about differentiating professional and public perception.
The word iconic design I think (havent asked google yet) - generaly reffers to popular design in the public domian.
If you poll the public, on the following question, which is the greatest design
Is the question here ‘what is an Icon’ or what is a design icon?
The phrase ‘design icon’ isn’t a complex concept unless you make it one.
"["if Sinker had been reading more closely, he’d realise the nature of: ‘thoughts and references on - iconic’ is a complex issue. Requiring not only the definition sub-categories but possibly a matrix to fully describe. ][/quote]
no_spec:
You could take every manmade object in existance and put it in order of it’s design-‘iconicness’ with sub-categories and matrixes… but is there really any point?
SK and Sinker, an “icon” is an archetype, it has nothing to do with the concept of “good.” I think both of you are under the misconception that a design icon is the same thing as a popularly recognized great design.